Woods used in woodworking come in two general varieties: hardwoods and softwoods. There are considerable differences between the two types, but not necessarily the differences that one might think. Herein lies the riddle: Why are they named as such if hardwoods aren't necessarily harder than softwoods, and softwoods aren't necessarily softer than hardwoods.

The weasels are patiently awaiting the answer to this one....

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Botanically, hardwoods are Angiosperms; the
seeds are enclosed in the ovary of the flower. Anatomically,
hardwoods are porous; that is, they contain vessel elements.
A vessel element is a wood cell with open ends; when vessel
elements are set one above another, they form a continuous
tube (vessel), which serves as a conduit for transporting water
or sap in the tree. Typically, hardwoods are plants with
broad leaves that, with few exceptions in the temperate region,
lose their leaves in autumn or winter. Most imported
tropical woods are hardwoods.

Botanically, softwoods are
Gymnosperms or conifers; the seeds are naked (not enclosed
in the ovary of the flower). Anatomically, softwoods are
nonporous and do not contain vessels. Softwoods are usually
cone-bearing plants with needle- or scale-like evergreen
leaves. Some softwoods, such as larches and baldcypress,
lose their needles during autumn or winter.

_________________Jeff

If man made it, I can fix it.
If God made it we can pray for it.

Lessons I have learned:
NEVER MAKE ANYTHING OUT OF TEAK
Always remove the zero clearance insert before you tilt the blade DAMHIKT

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